Hematocrit

Hematocrit is a blood test that measures the percentage of the volume of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. This measurement depends on the number of red blood cells and the size of red blood cells.

How is the Test Performed?

A blood sample is needed.

Preparation for the Test

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

Why is the Test Performed?

The hematocrit is almost always ordered as part of a complete blood count (CBC).

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of:

Anemia

Diet deficiency

Leukemia

Other medical condition

Normal Results for Hematocrit

Normal results vary, but in general are as follows:

Male: 40.7 to 50.3%

Female: 36.1 to 44.3%

Normal results for children vary, but in general are:

Newborn: 45 to 61%

Infant: 32 to 42%

The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.